A comparative study of one-night oxygen therapy for obstructive sleep apnea in patients with fibrotic interstitial lung disease

<bold>Objective:</bold> There is no satisfactory treatment for OSA in patients with ILD. Oxygen therapy has been shown to reduce hypoxaemia and is well tolerated in patients with ILD. However, little is known about the effect on nocturnal oxygen supplement on OSA in patients with ILD. <bold>Methods:</bold> Forty-one patients with fibrotic ILD and OSA were randomized to receive supplemental air or oxygen for one night each, in a crossover design, separated by a washout period of one week. <bold>Results:</bold> Oxygen therapy significantly decreased the AHI by a median of 9.3/h (95% CI, 7.6/h-14.4/ h; P <. 01) and the percentage of N3 by 4.4% (95% CI, 0.3%-10.1%; P = 0.049). Oxygen therapy lowered the sleep stage changes index by 1.6/h (95% CI, 0.0/h-4.8/h; P =0.036) and ODI by 8.8/h (95% CI, 5.9/h-13.4/h). Mean heart rate during sleep was reduced, however, nocturnal blood pressure showed no changes. <fig><object-id>erj;64/suppl_68/PA867/F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><graphic></graphic></fig> <fig><object-id>erj;64/suppl_68/PA867/F2</object-id><object-id>F2</object-id><object-id>F2</object-id><graphic></graphic></fig> <bold>Conclusions:</bold> In patients with OSA and ILD, one night oxygen therapy significantly improved sleep-disordered breathing and sleep structure. Nocturnal oxygen supplement may be a therapeutic option for these patients.